2005 Mercedes Benz C230
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 85
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2005
Opened by NHTSA
59% of complaints
Complaints per year
2005: 85 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 39 |
| 1999 | 29 |
| 2000 | 29 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 54 |
| 2003 | 51 |
| 2004 | 31 |
| 2005 | 85 |
| 2006 | 116 |
| 2007 | 212 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
59% · 50 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz C230.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-02-04
I was involved in a 1 vehicle accident where the driver, left curtain and left side airbags were deployed. Upon close examination of the failing driver's airbag, I found obvious signs of perforations and burn-through.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-27
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes C230. The contact was driving 45 MPH when a vehicle crashed into the drivers side by of the contact's vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-12
Electrical system
14% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and instrument cluster/panel.
Show complaint excerpts
On a way from road trip I was driving ( Night drive) my headlights went out in middle of driving.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-19
Also filed under Exterior lighting
Engine and engine cooling
11% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing exhaust system and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
Whiel driving, the consumer started to smell gas in the car, the consumer pulled over to side of road, left the car running, popped the hood and fire emitted from the engine compartment. Insurance co. Farmers, robert gonzales…
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-08
Power train
9% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Engine
7% · 6 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Vehicle began smoking on highway. No check engine or indicator of any fault codes. No previous coolant or oil leaks, or fuel leaks appeared to be visible or of issue.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-05-18
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2005Complaint volume 85 complaints filed for this model year.
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2016-10-18Air bags16V081000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016.
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2020-07-10Visibility19V918000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
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2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2023-02-03Visibility22V954000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918.
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2025-01-10Visibility24V874000 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Buy-smart checklist
2005 Mercedes Benz C230 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 50 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 12 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 9 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 16V081000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V918000 · Visibility
- Recall 22V954000 · Visibility
- Recall 24V874000 · Visibility
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes Benz C230 have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.